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Home My WebLink AboutOCTOBER 5, 2010 MINUTES-1- CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH "COMMUNITY FOR A LIFETIME" CITY COUNCIL h1AYOR W//,L.lAM D. SESSOMS, ./2, At-I,arge 67CL' MAY02 LO(I/S R. JONEti, Bay.rfde - Di.s~rict J !fl'!'A SWF.F.T BEL/.l'lTO, At-Large (;/,h"NN 2 DA U/S, Ro.ce Ha!! - Dd.ctrrct 3 f171,1.lAMR. DeSTIsPH, A~-/arge HA2RY E. UIF.ZF'L, Kemp.cville - Ui.c~rict 2 kOBERT M. DYER„ Centervillc - Di.rtrict 1 BARBARA M. HENI GY, Prince.rs Annc - Dis~rict 7 JOHNG. UHRIN, Beach -Disrrict 6 IZOSEMA2Y WLLSON, A[-l arge JAMES I. WOOD, I,ynnhaven -Disrric~ 5 CITY COUNCIL APPOINTEES C'/TY MANAGLR - JAML:S K. SPORE ('ITY ATTORNEY - MARK D. S7ILES ('I'lY ASSESSOR - .I@R,9LD BANAGAN ('lTY ACID/TOR - I,YNDON S. REMIAS ('!TY CI,ERK - RUTH HODGES FRASER, MMC CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP AGENDA 5 October 2010 CITYHALL BUILDING 240/ COUR'THOUSE DRIVE VIRGIN/A BEACH, VIRGiN/A 23456-8005 PHONE: (757) 385-4303 FA;r (757) 385-5669 E- MA/L: crycncl@vbgov.com CITY MANAGER'S BRIEFINGS - Conference Room - A. 2010 SANDBRIDGE LIFEGUARD PROGRAM Tom Green, Division Chief B. YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES Barbara Brinson, Youth Opportunities Coordinator C. REDUCTION IN FORCE - FY 2011 Regina Hilliard, Director - Human Resources D. LIBRARIES' CUSTOMER SERVICE KIOSKS Marcy Sims, Director - Libraries SISTER CITY PEN PAL SI~NIN~ CEREMONY COLINCIL CHAMBER 5:30 PM 4:00 PM -z- MA YOR SESSOMS' ANNOUNCEMENT 4: 00 P.M. Mayor Sessoms distributed correspondence for signature by all Members of City Council to the Honorable RobeK F. McDonneU, Governor, re BRAC Compliance Program Funding. The Mayor and Members of City Council are writing Governor McDonnell today to request his assistance in continued funding for Virginia Beach's highly acclaimed BRAC Compliance program. The Ciry of Virginia Beuch and the Commonwealth have been engaged in a full and equal partnership over the last several years. This partnership has been actively moving to acquire land aroundNAS Oceana in the Accident Potential Zone 1(APZ-I), the Clear Zone, and also the Interfaciliry Tra~c Area (ITA). This is in response to the order from the 2005 BRAC process. Said correspondence is hereby made a part of the record. Octobel- 5, 2010 ~ ,: ~', _ ~4~~ ~ity of V"ir~ r„ a $ each . : ;. - ( e4 .y Z~~ ~~4 _ q9 r:;:. .;.. ^ ~ Y S s ~f ~UR NAr~~ VBgOV:COIIl WII.LIAM D. SESSOMS, JR_ MUNGPALCFNIER MAYOR BUlIAING 1, ROOM 234 2401 COURTIiOUSE DRIVE VIRGII~A BEAQ I, VA Zi156-9007 {75~ 3854581 October 5, 2010 F~ n~--m 3;;; ~~~~.~ The Honorable Robert F. McDonnell Office of the Governor Patrick Henry Builclin.g, 3rd Floor 111 i Eas# Broad Street Richmond, Virginia 23219 Subject: BRAC Compliance Program k~nding Dear Governor McDonnell, I and the rest of the members of Council are writing you today to request your assistance in continued funding for our highly acclaimed BRAC Compliance Program. As you know, the City of Virginia Beach and the Connznonwealth have been engaged in a full and equal partnership over the last several years. This partnership has been actively moving to acquize land around NAS ~ceana in the Accident Potential Zone 1(APZ-1}, the Clear Zone, and also the Interfacility Traffic Area (ITA). This is in response to the order from the 2005 BRAC Process. While we could disagree with the rationale for placing NAS Oceana on the BRAC list, it did nevertheless zaaise the scrutiny of encroachment around NAS Oceana to the national level. To address that new scrutiny, the Coammonwealth and Virginia Beach have, together, ezx.~barked on both a series of Code of Virginia changes as well as Virginia Beach City Code and Zoning Ordinance changes that have halted encroachment in the A.PZ-1 aud Clear Zones amd turn.ed the effort of Virginia Beach into a model fox the entire country. In fact, the Department of Defense individual charged with facility encroachment nationwide recently stated, "Virginia Beach is like the Phoenix raised from the ashes, and it is the model for encroaclunent management for the entire country." As furkher evidence of the success af our pzogram, Virginia Beach was recently named the Active Base Community of the Year. This award by the Associadon of Defense Comn~wauities recognized V~rgirua Beach as an active base defense community whose efforts in building partnerships with the military installation have enhanced military value and the overall development of the community. As part of this effort, the Commonwealth has appropria~ed $7.SM each fiscal year, which the City has matched beginning in FY `07. In addition, the City conhibuted $3.7M for acquisitions in the ITA. Through those efforts to date-and this is an ongoing process-we have acquired pxoperties in the APZ-1 and Clear Zone frozn 160 owners, totaling 2.6M square feet, reducing residential and commercial units by a large number. Those purchases add up to almost $45M. We also have reached agreement to acquire properties from anothex 17 ownezs, for just over $3M, in the same areas. We also The Honorable Govern.or Robert F. McDonnel] ~ctober 5, 2010 ~'~;~, ~2 have acquired land or have pendiung closings in the ITA from eleven owners, totaling 411 acres, at a cost of $12.8M. We also have 33 pa~rcels under review in the APZ-1 and Clear Zone and several parcels in the ITA, and we feel confident we will encumber FY-I1's $15 million by June 30, 2011. The acquisition program remains voluntary, and lazad is acquired from willing sellers. As you know, NAS Oceana is ~vital to the economy of the Commonwealth and the region. With over 12,000 ~ersonnel, it is a major driver of the regional economy. With the region's economy being 45% dependent on the xxulitary, we must do everything vae can to rnaintaiux NAS Oceana. At this critical juncture, it is important that we send a clear and correct message to the Department of Defense officials and others. That message is that together the Comzxxonwealth and the City of Virginia Beach are consistent, trusted and reiiable partners in the critical effort to control and reduce base encroachment around NAS Oceana. Particularly with the near term prospect that the Environmental. Impact Statement process for the basing of the Navy's naodei of the F-35 Joint S1rike Fighter is soon to begin, vve cax~ot afford to send the wrong message to military decision makers about our resolve to maintain and enhance the long-term viability of NAS Oceana for its existing and potential future mission. It's important that ~the Commonwealth and the City maintain our effort to control encroachment around Oceana to send the best message possible to the Department of Defense on the suitability of Oceana for the next generation fighter with the introduction of the F-35. Thank you for your assistance in this zn.atter. I know our General Assembly delegation is ve~ry eager to support this effort in every wa.y possible and we stand ready to assist you as necessary to maintain these partnering funds through the upcaming budget process. Respectfully, L:~l/ William D. Sessoms, Jr. Mayor Louis R. Jo Vice-Mayor . ~`^'-~-k~. Rita. Sweet-Bellitto Council Member Glenn R. Davis, r. William R. eSteph Council Member Council Merxxber fiC.~ Robert M. Dyer arbaza M. Henley Council Member Council ~Iember ~~ ~ Harry E. Uhrin cil Mernber ~ ~~~~ Kosemary Wilso J es Wvod Council Memb Co 1 Member c: Virginia Beach General Assembiy Delegation Senator Charles Colgan, Chairman, Senate Fiunance Committee Delegate Lacey Putney, Chairrnan, House Appropriations Committee -3- CITY MANAGER `S BRIEFING 2010 SANDBRIDGE LIFEGUARD PROGRAM 4: 02 P.M. Last year, the Ciry Council approved The Department ofEmergency Medical Services (EMS) taking over the Lifeguard services at Sandbridge. Thomas A. Green, Division Chief, presented information concerning the program. Division Chief Tom Green advised EMS providing the Lifeguard Service at Sandbridge resulted in a reduced budget. Service Level Outcomes Reduced budget/increased service Increased accountabiliry Outstanding customer service Advanced Life Support (ALS) response Greater interaction with the E.R.S. (Emergency Response System) Citizen Benefits Service provided at a lower cost Created new coverage area for Dangerous Water flags for less than $300.00 Eight (8) Lifeguard supervisors with a combined Fifty (SO) years of experience First-class equipment and maintenance Sandbrid~e Statistics Estimated 332, 000 beach oers 129 a lications received l03 da s sta ed 41 li e uards hired 24 da s o Red F[a conditions Number o ex ected returnin uards = 33 65 water rescues/3-Jet Ski Rescues Number o ex ected returnin su ervisors = 6 0- Drownin Customer Service Com laints or uards = 0 11 ALS (Advanced Life Support) transports Customer Service Complaint =1 (dogs on the beach S BLS Basic Li e Su ort trans orts Ba s o Trash collected =112 41 Medical Aid cases l8 Lost and Found cases October 5, 2010 -4- CITY MANAGER `S BRIEFING 2010 SANDBRIDGE LIFEGUARD PROGRAM Customer Comments / How DidWe Do? 5) ~a~e d~e ",~ou 9~e~~ ~^'tt e tFi.e f act t~x e time ~w ~,e se~' c[ife9,~" ~ uest'~ ar~,d ~°a'''r ,wer °-''`'r a eetevu~t~-f~'~2 ~0 p,?'~ » ~nee P e ~~aht~rs t~ Sa~ The red-flag program is great for our renters. Until this year t h e y never had warnings about how flners~us the ocean is. The ne d were the best.,.we more next year! ~s.aa Roland / 3andbridgo Realty I was out on the sandbar surfing and saw that this kid couldn't make it in and went over to help, he was panicking pretty bad. Before i could get to him one of your supervisors was in the water and another followed within I or 2 minutes on were right on him. I think you have put the right people on thebeach and just wanted to let you know that ChingS ~~~OOk gOOd f01' OU~ bBdCh. Rob Lindauer/ Owner. Sur}'~'7tmlAdventure ve rea11Y d°ne „Tom, Y°u ~~e for us ~5 Yeaz a ~eat se~ ~easuTe ~~S enaP „ and its b~ e 17! PRd Gm~heSat~ ~~g G ~Lea~e-Re~e 17 Yces~dent Division Chief Green displayed photographs of the lifeguards who went to a competition in Maryland for the first time and faired extremely well. Council Lady Henley complimented the program as very successful. The Lifeguard Program was in constant touch with the communiry by attending Civic League meetings and advising all of their plans. October 5, 2010 -5- CITY MANAGER `SBRIEFING YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES 4:13 P.M. Cindy Curtis, Director - Parks and Recreation, advised the City has seven (7) Strategic Issue Teams, who are accountable for accomplishing a variery of business outcomes to meet Ciry Council's goal for the Ciry of Virginia Beach to be a"Communiry For a Lifetime ". The Youth Opportunities o~ce is an active contribution for the Family and Youth Opportunities Team (a Strategic Issue Team for the State) with a small, but "mighry" staff complement of two (2) ably led by Barbara Brinson. The Youth Opportunities o~ce has a Cirywide focus and has successfully led numerous youth initiatives to a collaborative effort with the stakeholders. Ms. Curtis introduced Barbara Brinson to brief Ciry Council relative her office's efforts to provide positive youth development opportunities for all the youth throughout the City. Barbara Brinson, Youth Opportunities Coordinator, related the history of the Youth Opportunities O~ce Youth Opportunities Office • Established in 1999 • Focus on Youth (Juvenile Delinquency Prevention) • Clearing House/Community Resource • Isolation to Collaboration (Youth Opportunities Team) • Duplication to Optimization via Coordination • Youth Development Youth Development... What is it?? The process through which adolescents acquire the cognitive, social and emotional skills and abilities required to navigate life. • resources and a collection of strengths • ...addressing the basic needs of young people • ...ALL youth have potential to be healthy /productive • 40 (forty) Developmenta[ Assets • Relationships • Programs • • Opportunities • Experiences Youth DevelopmentApproach Creating relationships, programs and opportunities to build the skills, knowledge and personal attributes (developmental assets) that support youth on their own developmental journey and help them meet their basic developmental needs. • Train Adults • Advancing Youth Development -1 S0+ youth workers trained • Shared Language • Increased competencies/ability to apply YD principles • Intentional October 5, 2010 -6- CITY MANAGER `S BRIEFING YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES (Continued) Intended Outcomes Education Workforce Development Economic Development Youth Civic Engagement Safe Community Economic Development Community Civic Engagement Safe Community Economic Development "Education...beyond all other devices of human origin, is a great equalizer of conditions of inen-- the balance wheel of the social machinery...it does better than to disarm the poor of their hostility toward the rich; it prevents being poor. " Horace Mann Education Begin Early! Virginia Beach GrowSmart Early Discoveries - YMCA - 4 year olds Parks and Recreation Pre-School Programs Parks and Recreation all day Kindergarten (pilot) @ Thoroughgood Elementary Dav Watch Pro,~ram - sponsored by The Men of Faith, a partnership between VBCPS (Virginia Beach City Public Schools) and the faith community to reduce the potential for drop-out due to suspension. Currently at: Piney Grove Baptist Church sponsors Holland Elementary School and Corporate Landing Middle School Enoch Baptist Church sponsors Bayside Middle School October~ 5, 2010 - ~- CITY MANAGER `S BRIEFING YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES (Continued) Workforce Development 3(three) Sumrreer Youth Employment Programs Funded by American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) • Ninety (90) Participants • Workplace Readiness Skills / ConJlict Resolution Training 14 - 1 S years old Virginia State Parks (1 S) 16 - 24 years old. City and Community Organizations (75) 45 - Low Incorree with Barriers 45 - Court Involved/Reside in "Challenged Communities" Youth Career Center of Hampton Roads Opportunity, Inc. located at Pembroke Mall, provides: Market Skills, Career Exploration and Workplace Readiness Skills. Mayor's Youth Leaders In Action Mission: Mayor's Youth Leaders In Action exist to be a positive force in the community through leadership, service, education and representation. • Parks and Recreation Commission • Youth Opportunities Team • Transportation • Activities: • Lock-in • YADAPP • Workshops • Retreat • Youth Agenda Mrs. Brinson displayed a video of Youth Service Corps and the Summer Youth Employment program. Photographs of YCAT 757 and PROJECT GREEN TEENS Relative Community Civic Engagement, the "Old Way" and "Paradigm Shift" were cited: October 5, 2010 -8- CITY MANAGER `S BRIEFING YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES (Continued) Western Bayside Initiative (A Pilot) Community Assets People i.e. Leadership: Coaches, Educators, Artists, Carpenters Organizations: i.e. Civic Leagues, Associations: Boy Scouts Institutions: ~e. Schools, Churches, Libraries Western Bayside Accomplishments Freedom School R.I.S.E. Teaching Environmental Awareness Mobile Unit Program (TEAM UP) Seton Youth Shelters - Basketball Tournamenet Open Gym Summer Camps October- 5, 2010 -9- CITY MANAGER `S BRIEFING YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES (Continued) Congratulations! Virginia Beach One of the best Family -Friendly cities in the United States! Ebony Magazine, October 2010 Ideal place to Raise Kids "....has the ultimate kid vibe!" ~ ~~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~` ~`1- AMERICA`S PROMISE ALLIANCE ~ C ~~ ~~ ~~!x~ ~ ~~`i ^ ~C~~MUNITIES ~~ -~a~ ``~o~~~ Pe~a$a~ PRESENTED BY ~ ~ ~ ~ a~~ ; October 5, 2010 -10- CITY MANAGER `S BRIEFING YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES (Continued) Search Institute has identified the following building blocks of healthy development that helps young people grow up healthy, caring and responsible. Forty (40) Developmental Assets Frtornnl .4 ccotc Internal Assets Support Commitment to Learning Family Support Achievement Motivation Positive Family Communication School Engagement OtherAdultRelationships Home Work Caring Neighborhood Bonding to School Caring School Climate Reading for Pleasure Parent Involvement in Schooling Empowerment Positive Values Community Values Youth Caring Youth as Resources Equality and Social Justice Service to Others Integrity Sufety Honesty Responsibility Restraint Boundaries and Expectations Social Competence Family Boundaries Planning and Decision Making School Boaundaries Interpersonal Competence Neighborhood Boundaries Cultural Competence Adult Role Models Resistance Skills Positive Peer Influence Peaceful Conflict Resolution High Expectations Positive Identity Constructive Use of Time Personal Power Creative Activities Self-Esteem Youth Programs Sense of Purpose Religious Community Positive View of Personal Future Time at Home October 5, 2010 -11- CITY MANAGER `S BRIEFING RED UCTION IN FORCE - FY 2011 4:38 P.M. The City Manager invited Regina Hilliard, Director - Human Resources, to address re Reduction-in- Force (RIF) Program. • Reduction-in-Force (RIF) Policy Established 1992, revised 2009 RIF provides a systematic and legally defensible method of reducing our workforce x Reductions typically based on programs x Senioriry may be used in conjunction with program reductions Note: Specia[ skills needed for the position can be considered along with seniority RIF: Employee Transition Program Primary component of RIF policy: Employee Transition Program (ETP) Employee Transition: The process of moving affected employees into alternative positions Transitions Based On: x Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Interests x Education x Available Vacancies Duration: Budget adoption through end of fiscal year Second Component: Managing Attrition Program (MAP) Provides funding to allow continuation of transition efforts Employees continue to provide services to the City Pre-determined completion date Reduction-in-Force FY 2010/II FY10/ll Budget Reductions: 170 Positions Approximately 85 Filled 62 (Sixty-two) Full-time Employees placed in ETP MAP available until September 30, 2010 Additional Component: Managing Change Workshops (Provided by Organization Development Office) October 5, 2010 -12- CITY MANAGER`S BRIEFING RED UCTION IN FORCE - FY 2011 May 12, 2010: Initiated Employee Transition Program (ETP) with sixty- two (62) employees June 30, 2010: 55 ~fty-five) Employees Transitioned (or otherwise removed from ETP) July 1, 2010: 7 Employees Moved to MAP September 23, 2010: Remaining employees transitioned October 5, 2010 II I II -13- CITY MANAGER `S BRIEFING LIBRARIES' CUSTOMER SERVICE KIOSKS 4:48 P.M. Marcy Sims, Director - Libraries, prepared a Policy Report, relative a Transfer ofAppropriations' request for $65,370 from the General Fund Reserve for Contingencies for the purchase and installation ofseven (7) Customer Service Payment kiosks at the Ciry's larger libraries. Due to the number of positions that were eliminated in the Library's FY2010 Budget, the Library Department is looking for ways to utilize technology to provide customer service with fewer staff Library Payment Centers \ ~.~..~~ Requesting one-time transfer of $fi5,370 for 7 customer service payment kiosks Integrated ~ibrary System ~IL.S) ~ ~ ,.~ \7NLilV7A [Y'MN . MRL1C ll[iR+~RY ~ ...g,a~... ~.I~J~'dPl/ ~3~~~0~, ~ ~ 1 tYi3fti M(3 hnnlrc !'()c : October~ 5, 2010 -14- CITY MANAGER`S BRIEFING LIBRARIES' CIISTOMER SER VICE KIOSKS Smart Access Manager (SAM~ ~,,.,,,,,r Al) Payments Require Staff Interaction OCtOI~el' J~ 2~1 ~ -IS- CITY MANAGER `S BRIEFING LIBRARIES' CUSTOMER SERVICE KIOSKS Library Payment Centers Overdue Fines $271, 000 per year Internet Printing Charges $45, 000 per year $0.25 a day for overdue fines $0.20 per page for printing Ta Maintain Current Level af Customer Service OR Budgetary Issues Requesting one-time transfer of $65,370 for 7(seven) customer service kiosks Libraries returned $899,210 last fiscal year to General Fund BY CONSENSUS, City Council concurred the City Manager sign a one-time transfer of $65,370 for seven (7) Customer Service Payment Kiosks. The City Manager complimented Marcy and her staff. October 5, 2010 -16- MA YOR'S COMMENTS Mayor Sessoms had the pleasure of speaking to Vice Mayor Jones and the City Manager concerning his recommendation to reduce a revenue source. Mayor Sessoms has heard from many members ofCity Council concerning the Machinery and Tool Tax consisting of $1.3 lo $1. S-MILLION. He hoped this would be the City Council's desire to sign a letter to the City Manager re reducing the Machinery and Tool Tax over a three to five year period. The City Council does not want to reduce revenues. This tax is a hindrance in bringing the rype ofjobs wanted in the City of Virginia Beach. This reduction will be approximately $300, 000 to ~500, 000 a year, depending on how the numbers look with the upcoming FY 2011-12 Operating Budget. Mayor Sessoms will have correspondence for the Ciry Council to sign within the next week. Mayor Sessoms takes this reduction seriously and wishes to accomplish same in a responsible manner. Councilman Dyer applauded this effort and believes this reduction would also assist the existing businesses. Councilman DeSteph believes this a"step in the right direction " and requested the BPOL tax be examined as it affects all businesses. The Workshop ADJOURNED at S: 03 P.M. October- 5, 2010 -17- SISTER CITY PEN PAL SIGNING CEREMONY 5:30 P.M. Muyor William D. Sessoms, Jr. CONVENED the Sister City Pen Pal Ceremony in the City Council Chamber. Tuesday, October S, 2010, at 5:30 P.M. Council Members Present.• Rita Sweet Bellitto, Glenn R. Davis, William R. "Bill " DeSteph, Harry E. Diezel, Robert M. Dyer, Barbara M. Henley, Vice Mayor Louis R. Jones, Mayor William D. Sessoms, Jr., John E. Uhrin and James L. Wood Council Members Absent: Rosemary Wilson [Attending Virginia Municipal League as a Voting Delegate, elected President-Elect and will accept an award on behalf of the CiryJ Octobel~ 5, 2010 -18- SISTER CITY PEN PAL SIGNING CEREMONY (Continued) Mayor John Montgomery, North Down Borough Council, Bangor, Northern Ireland, i~irginia Beach's Sister City, and his wife, Lady Mayoress Kathleen, arrived in Virginia Beach late Saturday night, October Second. Mayor Sessoms, Mayor Montgomery and the Mayor's Commission on Aging participated in a Signing Ceremony to establish a Pen Pal program as a facet of the Northern Ireland Sister Ciry relationship. ~~V ~A~ SIGNI~~1/'G C`~~R.E~I~10~2' ~L~J~E Annika ~en(}ns, 'f~ioC:nist I.7VtV0~77ION ~verend'CaroCne ,~inl~{ns Associate ~Pastor ~First ~Pres6yterian ChurcFi SOLO: "StarSpangCed~anner" Alana Springsteen `W~LC~~fE `WilZictm ~D. Sessoms, ~r. 9Kayor, ~Virginia Beack ~R~,S~PONSE ,~ohn ~lontgomery 9Kayor, North ~Dawn Borough ~EN~PAL ~j~ SOLti71ONSIGMNG 9Kayor ~WiQ'iam ~D. Sessoms, ,~r. 9Kayor,~oFin 9Kontgomery ~Vtrs. ~Vlargie Barnes, C(aair ~Vtayor's Commission onAging SOGO: "O' ~Danny Boy'° Alana Springsteen B~E~DI~7'ION ~verend CaroCsne ,~inkins October 5, 2010 -19- PEN PAL SIGNING CEREMONY Mayor's Commission on Aging Margie Barnes, Chair Cheryl Avery-Hargrove Lindy Casale - Rinaldi Larry Graletts Nina Kidd Drew Lankford Patrick Mahoney Alexia Pittman The Signing CeremonyADJOURNED at 5:45 P.M. October 5, 2010 ~',' ' ~'' ,~~'s~2 ~.~ "~~ .~, ~~`sfqf.'r,ir . Ra: `~~l ~. TGf ~.^t~'~'i' L•,•~./ V, 'MV Nf ~.1"~ 1L ~iJLJ~`iJ JLJ ~~~~J.. Y I~Y~£1$,S' The Senior Citizen population has rapidly increased, both locally and nationally, over the years; ~f1~~S.' The Mayor's Commission on Aging was established in cooperation with the Nationa/ Older Americans Act to assist in identifying the needs of Senior Citizens, assist in reviewing the nature and priorities of service, to articulate the functions of this Commission with other agencies in the City, to assist in public information, legislative and educational efforts as they affect our Senior Citizens, to undertake such special projects of interest to the Aging as the Mayor may assign and to appropriately represent the Office of the Mayor, I~l~$Id~S.' The Mayor's Commission on Aging is funded on/y through donations through the City's annua/ fiscal year budget process with vouchers submitted for payment to the total revenue received; I~f~~~S.' The Mayor's Commission has conducted many Forums on various subjects, including: crime prevention, elder abuse, legal, housing, parks and recreation, vo/unteerism, transportation and other concerns such as roads, storm water, taxes, et cetera. The Commission has been recognized by the Virginia Association on Aging and interfaces with Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia and serves on the Steering Committee to the Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program; and, I~fI~~S.' In 1995, the City of Virginia Beach established a"Sister City" relationship with North Down Borough Council, Nor~hern Ireland, which has expressed a desire to create a PEN PAL program with Virginia Beach and 'the Mayor's Commission On Aging has agreed to participate as a part of the Sister City relationship, enhancing the educational exchanges between Arrowhead Elementary with Towerview and St. Malachy Primary Schools and Kempsville Middle School with Priary College as well as the Police and Fire exchanges that have existed. N0~4; T~i~~~'O~ $~I7'li~•SOLY£D, that on this Fifth day of October, Two Thousand Ten, the City of Virginia eeach, Virginia, and North Down eorough Council, IVorthern Ireland join hands to affirm the establishment of a PEN PA[ PROGRAM as another enhancement of our "Sister City" relationship which began in 1995, was chartered by Sister Cities International in 2001 and continues to enjoy a greot internationa! fellowship. ~IY~1V UND~~ OU~~f1VDS1~IVDS~fLS this Fifth Day of October, Two Thousand and Ten, ~ ~~~~ Margie n, Chair-Mayo~'s Commission on Aging • - _ _'-----_-,~ ~j1/ -- - ----_..~ „~ ~ William D. Sessoms, Jr., Mayor bhn Montgomery, Mayor City of Virginia Beoch, Virginia North Down Borough Council